Official Kayaking/Canoeing Thread

There was some work went into this but well worth it, mainly a lot of thinking and my head still hurts. I added rudder control foot rests and cables just like I was going to use a rudder, and a trolling motor an I moved the controls to the front for easy reach, it has a toggle for on, off, 5 forwards, and 3 reverses, and will FLY!! Build a mount to hold the motor like holds the rudder. Put a cable to release the motor, so you can push both foot paddles at the same time and tilt the motor totally out of the water like this picture. I'll shoot you a pm with some pictures of the mods.Here it is when I carry it on my Taco, strips down easy, and back the same way takes about 10 minutes to dress, or strip, no longer.

 

Man, I really want to pick up a Jackson Kilroy this year. We'll see if the funds work out. I also want to paddle one before I buy, too. Seems like an awesome yak though!

 

Another great find on TW!! I'll post some pics of a couple of easy trips soon. Right now, I'm enjoying catching up on this thread!!

 

I got a question maybe somebody can help me out with . Im running a Perception Avatar 16 on top of my DCLB. This plastic kayak weighs 56 lbs. is 22" wide and is 15' 10" long. I have dual Yakima cross bars up top. Out of the rear receiver of the truck i have a tri-cam load extender(its like Thule's Goal Post), only this one was $70 from HomeDepot. I rest the kayak upside-down with the front 1/4 on the rear yakima bar and the rear of the kayak on the goal post. All kinds of tie down ratchets fore and aft and side to side later, its just so-so secure.

I'm just looking for a more stable transporting solution to carry this boat and wondering if anybody has some suggestions. Hope the pics help explain. Also the kayak is all the way to the right, because i have a cargo basket up there too, which takes up a lot of room. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

You could put two more tie downs going around your kayak and to two different points in your bed?

 

Yeah, not sure what other than a trailer would handle 16' yak any better. Anything else looks like it wouldn't let you park in the tight spot in the pics either, would be too high or too long. +2 on adding more strapping.

 

Cool thanks guys, yeah i did add more straps and it was more secure. I stopped by REI and looked at the Mako saddle that Yakima makes, i kinda dig that, and maybe ditch my goal post. Made it out to the lake today and had a great paddle. But on the way home my front bow line cam ratchet(old) snapped and i had to pull over in LA traffic. Luckily i was in the slow lane, unnerving never-the-less! Got it re-attached and made it home. (kept thinking of that picture in this thread of the guy standing on the fwy in the fast lane, next to 2 kayaks) This is Santa Fe Dam Rec Area where i was today. Saw turtles, egrets, and red tail hawks.

 

Try this, TracRac for Tacoma:
http://www.tracrac.com/node/546

I use this for my kayaks. TracRac is made in USA, owned by Thule. Mine is solid! Use with Malone saddles for TracRac. If you use anything else, may need to modify- cross bars a beefy. Trac Rac also sell and added Cantalever that attached to the front, to hang over the Cab.

 

Bell Yellowstone Solo
MadRiver Freedom

 

I just bought this 10ft. Pelican Bass Raider boat today for $699 from my local sporting goods store. It's rated for 550lbs and is pre-wired for a elec. motor & battery. I considered a fishing kayak but then decided on this because it was cheaper and this is built for 2 people. I plan to take it on camping trips with me and fish the lakes at the state park campgrounds. Should be fun.

 

Nice Dave, looks stable and roomy. Enjoy!

 

Yeah from what I've read & seen online they appear to be very stable.

 

NRS Straps! The mako saddle would help, don't be afraid to put some pressure on them. Those ratchet straps fail more often then not. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

Those pelicans or even sundolphin boats. Can they load up in the back of the dcsb ? I want to get one, but i dont want a trailer because my HOA wont allow it.

 

You'll love it. We have one and it's great.. Fixing to actually replace it with a new one.. After getting ours my kayak hasn't seen much action..

 

With enough straps, anything will fit

 

Mine is 10ft but a 8ft may be better for you if you plan to transport it in the bed of your truck. But like mentioned straps will make it fit, these aren't heavy at all. I used my atv trailer to pick mine up from the store but I tow a small Casita camper with my tacoma so I plan on buying a Tracrac universal aluminum rack so I can haul my pelican while towing on camping trips. Home Depot has the aluminum Tracrac for under $300.

 

Alright. At least was checking if the width at least fit in. Length I can strap in.

 

Width wise your fine. I thought you was concerned about overhang from length.

 

Thanks